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Nara, Mixed Scenery with Temples and Mountains
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Joined 2024
The poem in the 8th century wrote that NARA is a province with supreme beauty enclosed by mountains. IKARUGA began as the temple town of Japan's oldest temple, Horyu-ji Temple, and preserves a rural landscape surrounded by mountains. NARAMACHI was a post town on the grounds of Gangoji Temple in the 18th century. Locals continue to make efforts to preserve the old townscape now. We feel the quiet and rich charm while strolling through the old town area.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Nara City center.
Ikaruga (JR Horyuji sta.)
>Horyuji Temple (18.7ha/46 acres)/complex building group originally built by the order of the emperor and Prince Shotoku in the 7th century, the oldest wooden structure in the world, conveys the vibe of the past to the present.
>Cyuguji Temple/originally built by the order of Prince Shotoku’s mother, who was the model of the principal image with a charming smile (so-called Archaic Smile)
>Stroll through the rice fields while admiring the roof tiles and three-story pagodas of temples (Hokiji Temple and Horinji Temple) in the distance.
Todaiji Temple (JR Nara sta.)
>Todaiji Temple (6.9ha/17 acres)/complex building group originally built by the order of the emperor in the 8th century
#Great Buddha Hall/the statue of the Great Buddha and another 4 statues of Buddha are enshrined
Naramachi
>Gngoji Temple/originated from Japan's first Buddhist temple, built in the 6th century, and moved to the present place together with Heijyo-Palace in the 8th century.
>Naramachi old town (49.3ha/122 acres)/originated from a temple town of Gangoji Temple. In the Edo period, it flourished as a commercial, industrial, and entertainment town. locals preserve traditional townhouses and open them to the public
e.g., Mechanism Toy Museum/touch and play with the classic toys, Bustling House/showcase of the old townhouse built in 1917
Ending Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Nara City center
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
>guide fee, hotel pick up in Nara City center
>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/train and bus (some 1000JPY)
>admission fee (you/per adult)/Horyuji Temple (2000JPY), Cyuguji Temple(600JPY), Gangoji Temple(700JPY)
>short break/lunch/dinner
Tour Important Information
>The deer in Nara Park are sacred animals, so please treat them kindly.
>Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY.
>This tour is not insured, so I hope you get travel insurance.
Important message from the supplier
>I mainly work in the daytime (e.g. from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)
>If you want a listed/customized tour, please message me in advance. I will confirm facility availability in the itinerary dates: opening dates/hours, need a reservation or not.
>Please note that my tours are leisurely, on foot and by public transport.
>My tour schedule may change if transport or tourist spots are crowded.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Yosshi S.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I’d love to guide you to an ancient capital city with over 1,000 years of urban development history and a 100-year film history. I grew up in OSAKA and studied in KYOTO. Then, I worked in TOKYO and Osaka as an urban planning expert for national and local governments for 20 years. I have been striving to create cities where residents can live safely and comfortably and where visitors are attracted by their charms.
Quitting my career, I became a freelancer and a National Licensed Consulting Engineer (Urban and Regional Planning). I inspect urban development sites and film locations at home and abroad, and post about the charm of these picturesque towns on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now).
Present-day Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara formed a metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace from the 7th to the 19th centuries, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center. Residents still cherish their connections with local temples and shrines, continue to host local events, maintain traditional lifestyles, and protect their cultural heritage.
These three cities offer a unique landscape each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter. They are also easily accessible within a 1-hour train ride, with an international airport (KANSAI) and seaports (OSAKA, KOBE).
I am not only a National Licensed Guide Interpreter but also a General Travel Service Manager. I create an ideal customized tour for you, combining your preferences with my knowledge of transportation options and sightseeing spots.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Reviews
James S.
“Great Guide!”
Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.
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Yosshi S.
Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi
Drew B.
“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”
Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.
Yosshi S.
Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi
James K.
“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”
Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.
Yosshi S.
Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi
$232/ per group
More tours by Yosshi S.
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Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town
Osaka dates back to the 6th century, when the first official temple was built on the hilltop. In the Middle Ages, the emperor’s family and aristocrats believed that the Pure Land of Buddha was beyond the sunset and meditated in hermitages on the hill while watching the sun sink into the sea. Locals walked up(temples) and down (residences) regularly, enjoying life in this world and praying for a place in the Pure Land in the next life.
Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town
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Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer
We go around a must-visit temple and shrine in Nara Park. In the 8th century, the emperor built a new capital (Heijo-Palace) and the Statue of the Great Buddha. A powerful aristocracy built a shrine adjacent to the Palace. They prayed for the Buddha to bring stability to the country and peace to the people. In the 19th century, their vast grounds were incorporated into Nara Park, creating a unique space where residents and tourists can freely interact with the sacred deer.
Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer
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Osaka, Experience the Birth and Growth of the Urban Development Area
The development of Osaka began in the 16th century when Osaka Castle and the castle town were built on a hilltop. In the 19th century, some railway lines were constructed in the city. Houses, commerce, and entertainment functions necessary for a big city have been provided around the railway stations. Thanks to the convenient location, new high-rise buildings and old wooden houses are used for shops, galleries, and cafes, and attract locals and visitors.
Osaka, Experience the Birth and Growth of the Urban Development Area
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Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.
Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Nara
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Nara historical walking Tours(half day)
Nara is one of Japan's most-visited destination, small-group tour. Admire landmarks including Kofuku-ji Temple and Nara Park, Todaiji - Temple, kasura shrine. And local Conners !
Nara historical walking Tours(half day)
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One day tour in Nara
Highlights of the tour are feeding deers in Nara Park and overwhelmed by the great Budha, Daibutu. Tour also visits several historcal sites. As all historical sites are located in the Nara park, we will mainly walk through the park ( 5~8km ) The tour also can customized in line with the customer's interest, historical sites, cultural sites or shopping.
One day tour in Nara
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Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.
Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
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Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara
(Highlights) The Great Buddha of Nara is a magnificent structure weighing some 500 tons. Originally built in 752 AD, the stature is 15.9 meters high excluding the pedestal and its face 4.8 meters long. Subsequently, it was damaged by natural disasasters, fires and wars and was repaired several times. It was completely rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1867). You will be amazed at the splendid image of the Great Buddha calmly seated on the pedestal with the look of a perfect repose and passionless calm. His right hand shows mercy and left hand, the wisdom of the universe. The building housing this huge image, The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple, is the largest existing wooden structure in the world, having an area of 54 meters by 49 meters and a height of 45 meters. It was burned down by a fire twice, but was rebuilt in the Edo period. (How to enjoy) You will be amazed at how huge the Buddha image is. Immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere it creates amid the odor of burning incense, wonder at the ancient technology and the wisdom and the devotion of people. After all, you will never end up not being deeply impressed with the aura the "Daibutsu-sama" Great Buddha emits. Everywhere around the Great Buddha Hall, in the meantime, you can enjoy mixing with tame deer which do you no harm but ask you for food, "shika-sembei", which is being sold at the nearby stalls for 150 yen a pack containing some 50 grams of the deer food. You will feel very happy feeding, stroking and hugging the cute animal whose number exceeds, perhaps, 100. (Others) The transportation fare between Kyoto and Nara on a Kintetsu train is 620 yen (plus 510 yen if you take a limited express train). The entrance fee to Todaiji temple is 600 yen.
Tour of the Great Buddha of Nara
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